Ultimate luxury at Indonesia’s finest private villa retreat…

If you love Bali but want to escape the crowds, let me introduce you to your next must-visit: Lombok, Indonesia’s gorgeous hidden gem, shimmering quietly just east of Bali. While untouched landscapes are becoming harder to find in Bali, Lombok still boasts natural beauty and views of rural Indonesia. With its easy access by flight or a scenic boat ride from Bali, the island offers the perfect retreat for those seeking luxury off the beaten path.

The island features quiet beaches and serene waters, making Lombok an idyllic destination still waiting to be explored. Yet Lombok’s charm goes beyond its peaceful vibe. The island offers a different cultural experience as well—while Bali is known for its Hindu temples, Lombok’s predominantly Muslim population brings its own unique traditions and rituals. 

So, where should you stay for a truly indulgent escape? The Lombok Lodge Villas is Lombok’s most exclusive hideaway—a newly opened sister estate of the iconic Lombok Lodge Hotel. This private, ultra-luxurious villa resort redefines hospitality standards, not just in Lombok but across entire Indonesia, providing an incredible experience for those who want to enjoy a holiday in privacy. With a personal butler and private chef on hand in every villa, you can expect an extraordinary level of service that makes it truly the most unforgettable holiday.

Choose from 1, 2, or 3-bedroom beachfront villas, each featuring its own 20-meter infinity pool and private beach. Positioned right on the sand, you’ll wake up to the sounds of the waves and end your day with breathtaking sunsets over the ocean. The villas are surrounded by peaceful rice fields and beautiful palm trees, which makes this romantic oasis on Lombok’s north shore a truly secluded escape. For those seeking an experience of untouched Indonesia without compromising on luxury, this is where you’ll find it.

What immediately captures your attention is the villa’s striking design. Unlike the traditional Indonesian-style villas one might expect, the estate surprises with a sleek, modern aesthetic. Designed by Italian architect Vittorio Simoni, the villa’s minimalist style introduces an unexpected European flair to the island. With the Belgian owners’ signature touch in every detail, the entire space radiates both comfort and luxury.

What stood out most to me was the sense of calm the villa was giving—a zen atmosphere that made it effortless to reconnect with myself. Perhaps this is because the design follows Feng Shui principles, maximizing the flow of energy. Or maybe it was simply the experience of being on an exclusive estate where my only true responsibility was using the bathroom—which, in true luxury style, was fully automatic.

What truly made our stay unforgettable was the incredible level of care from the team. With our own chef and butler, we felt instantly at home—Bas, our butler, couldn’t have been kinder or more welcoming. Each evening, we looked forward to a private, fine dining experience right in our villa, with dishes prepared by our chef that felt like something straight from a Michelin-starred restaurant. And mornings were just as magical, with fresh fruit and the scent of warm pastries filling up the villa, all while we were looking at the ocean. It was pure bliss.

The team thought of everything, even providing a list of suggested activities so we could do as much or as little as we wanted. (We both had a tailor-made day itinerary.) We booked massages and spa treatments right in the villa, and each morning a yoga instructor came by to kickstart our day. Imagine doing a sun salutation while the first sunlight touches your face, standing by your infinity pool with the Indian Ocean stretching out before you. It just hits differently than yoga back home.

Although we enjoyed many different activities organized by our concierge team, our absolute highlight was definitely our day trips to the nearby Gili islands, with the hotel offering a private beach club at Gili Meno. After breakfast, a boat picked us up at our villa and within 30 minutes they took us to the most secluded, dreamy paradise beach: Bagno di Gili. We enjoyed live cooking on the beach, a lot of Miraval rose, and of course the white sands and turquoise waters. If you want to know more about this private experience, stay tuned for my next blog post.

When we returned to the villa at sunset, there was a bonfire waiting for us on the beach. The whole experience felt so surreal, like stepping into a James Bond movie. If you are planning to go to Indonesia, you really can not miss this experience!

In short, staying in the Lombok Lodge Villa feels like you’ve rented a cutting-edge Ibiza villa, but instead of facing rowdy crowds, you’re unwinding in the tranquil heart of Indonesia. And instead of getting poor service and high prices, you get impeccable hospitality and are treated like a king. Having stayed in a great variety of rental villas across Europe and the US, we found that the level of detail and hospitality by the Lombok Lodge team far surpassed our expectations. Every aspect of our stay was planned into the greatest detail, resulting in a seamless, unforgettable experience. For us, it was pure perfection—a trip that stands out as one of the most memorable we’ve ever taken together. It felt like skipping straight to the honeymoon, and to say it was fantastic would be an understatement. I can highly recommend the Private Villa estate to couples who enjoy comfort, luxury, culinary excellence and amazing service. We are planning our next trip!